by saberlock » Mon Mar 31, 2003 2:25 pm
Chiaro laughed. "The easiest answer. I am probably the nearest strong source of energy. It's only logical you'd feel it first in me. But don't be fooled by your first impression. The energy is all around us. And of course, it's in yourself as well. You'll learn to recognise it with a little practice.
But sensing the energy is only the first step in actually using magic. As a mage, you need to be able to control the energy. There are basically three ways to control it. The first one is slightly altering the energy flow inside existing objects. You'd be surprised how even the slightest change in the delicate balance can achieve great effects. This is my kind of magic."
To illustrate his point, Chiaro placed his hand on the grass. Immediatly, the grass started growing rapidly. When it was about a foot high, Chiaro lifted his hand, and the grass stopped growing.
"See. I accelerated the energy flow in the grass, causing it to grow more rapidly. Magic like this is relatively easy, for it only concerns small changes in the energy.
The second kind of magic is the ability to gather energy in one place, and force it to create matter. You've seen Miranda create a dagger, seemingly out of thin air. That's Creation magic.
The last kind of magic is the most dangerous. Destruction magic violently rips away energy from it's source. This can drain enemy mages of their power, weaken matter, or even destroy it completely.
You do not have to restrict yourself to only one kind of magic, but most mages choose to do so, for it takes a long time to master one kind of magic, let alone three.
I'd advice you too stick to Alteration magic first, until you get the feel of it. It's the easiest and most versatile kind of magic, so it's perfect for beginners. When you get more attuned to the flow of energy around you, and more importantle, the energy within yourself, you can find out for yourself what kind of magic suits you the best.
To use magic, all you need is experience and a bit of imagination. Since you lack experience, you'll need to find out for yourself how it works exactly, for I cannot tell you. Just try practicing on something small, like the grass, a twig, or a rock. Try to sense the energy, and the way it flows trough it. Then contact that energy, and imagine how it would be if the object were to change the way you want it to change. Then make the change.
I realise it might be a bit unclear, but there really is no better way to say it. That's why there are no real schools of magic. You can learn the basics, but every mage has to find out by him or herself what it is exactly. Besides, if everyone could learn it, it wouldn't be anything special, would it?
Anyway, the last thing I can tell you, is about the casting itself. You might've seen a mage waving his arms and chanting verses while casting a more powerful spell. This has nothing to do with the casting itself. Since all that needs to happen, happens in your mind, you don't need to actually do anything. The waving and shouting only helps the mage remember the exact energy configuration. For small things, you can easily remember them, but for more complicated spells, some mages like to use a little aid to memory."
Chiaro stopped for a moment, and then continued laughing.
"That, and the fact that it looks a lot better. There's nothing like a good show to impress the common man."